Lighted shelf strip



April 9, 1963 R. GUYER ETAL LIGHTED SHELF STRIP Filed Aug. 17. 1960 REYNDELMAR INVENTORS S G R BY L ATTORNEY 3,0MA63 LIGHTED SHELF STRIPReynolds Guyer, White Bear Lake, and Delmar R. Neitzel, t. Louis karir,Minn; said Neitzel assignor to Reynolds Euyer, doing business asReynolds Guyer Agency of Design, St. Paul, Minn.

Filed Aug. 1'7, 196%, Ser. No. 59,184

Claims. ((Jl. 40-132) This invention relates to an improvement inlighted shelf strip and deals particularly with a display strip whichmay be attached to the standard price strip molding commonly used on theedges of shelving in supermarkets and the like in order to provide alighted display for use with a predetermined product. The displayshelves on which merchandise is being displayed in supermarkets and thelike are normally provided along their outer edges with an extrudedstrip of aluminum or similiar material designed to accommodate flexiblenumerals and symbols to indicate the price of a product. This molding isprovided with forwardly projecting hook shaped portions between whichthe price indications may be inserted. It is a feature of the presentinvention to provide an elongated shelf strip which fits into this pricestrip molding and which is designed to contain a plurality of lights orone or more elongated fluorescent bulbs. This shelf strip is merelyclipped into place, and the lights are plugged into an electrical outletto form an illuminated display.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a shelf strip whichis in the form of an elongated extrusion of translucent plastic orsimilar material which is generally in the form of a slit tube. Theportions of the tube on opposite sides of the slit are for-med outwardlyto extend into interlocking relation with the hook shaped projections onthe price tag molding which supports the translucent housing in aposition. The extrusion is box shaped in cross section and preferablyincludes a flat front side which is also provided with opposed hookshaped projecting lips. A transparent or translucent sign advertising aparticular product may be engaged between these hook shaped lips fromillumination from within the extruded housing.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of aninsertable lighting fixture which comprises merely an elongatedsupporting strip having light sockets arranged in intervals thereonconnected by suitable wiring. The ends of the supporting strip areconnected to a pair of end plates which generally follow the contour ofthe inner surface of the hollow extrusion. ln assembling the device, itis only necessary to insert this supporting strip within the hollowextrusion after or before the extrusion is attached to the price tagmolding. The cross members support the light supporting strip and formend closures for the hollow body.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of astrip sign of the type described which is preferably formed of extrudedplastic or the like and which is sufliciently resilient so that it canbe flexed into position in engagement with the price tag molding. A setscrew type of device is provided designed to extend between oppositesides of the housing on opposite sides of the split portion thereof andwhich may be used to spread the ends of the extrusion apart to hold ithooked into place.

These and other objects and novel features of the invention will be moreclearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one end of the strips, showing theconstruction thereof.

EfihindfiE Patented Apr. 9, 1953 FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of theinsertable lighting fixture which is used in the interior of the outercasing.

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the casing of the sign.

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of a portion of a shelf with thestrip sign in place thereupon.

The lighted shelf strip is indicated in general by the letter A, and maybe made of any desired length. The sign A is used in conjunction with ashelf B of the type used to display goods in a supermarket or the like.T he shelf B is provided with a price tab molding ill extending alongits outer edge and into which price tag cards may be inserted toindicate the price of the wares being displayed. The molding ltlincludes a strip 11 which extends substantially the height of the shelfboard 12 and the'molding includes oppositely directed'upper flanges 13and 14, and similar opposed oppositely directed lower flanges l5 and 16.The hook shaped flanges 13 and 15 are designed to overlie portions ofthe edge of the shelf board 12 while the outwardly directed flanges 14and 16 form opposed grooves 17 and 19 which are normally designed toengage the upper and lower edges of price tags.

The sign A is formed preferably of translucent or transparent plasticand is preferably an extruded end closure which may be cut in desiredlengths. The enclosure is generally shaped as indicated in FIGURE 3 ofthe drawings, including a substantially flat front panel 2t) which isconnected along its lower edge to a substantially flat bottom panel 21.The upper edge of the panel 20 is connected to a flat or slightlyrounded top panel 22. A flange 23 extends in right angular relation tothe top panel 22 and terminates in a reversely turned hook flange 24-.The bottom panel 21 is connected to an angularly extending flange 25which terminates in a reversely and outwardly extending hook flange 26.The hook flanges 2 and 26 are directed outwardly and are normally spacedapart a distance which is substantially greater than the distancebetween the bases of the grooves 17 and 19 of the molding 18. As aresult when the flanges 24 and 2-6 are engaged in the grooves 17 and '19of the molding, the enclosure is securely attached to the molding due tothe normal tendency of the enclosure to return to its normal spreadposition. Obviously, the housing is made of material sufficientlyresilient to permit the flanges 24 and 26 to be drawn togethersufficiently to be engaged in the grooves 17 and 19.

A hook shaped projection 27 extends forwardly from the juncture betweenthe front panel 20 and the top panel 2.2, and an opposed hook shapedflange 29 extends forwardly and upwardly from the juncture between thefront panel 2t? and the bottom panel 21. These flanges 27 and 29 formgrooves 3t and 31 to receive a sign 32. of any suitable type. The sign32 is preferably sufficiently transparent or translucent so that lightmay shine through the Wall 2d of the housing and through the sign, thesign containing indicia 33 of any desired nature which may be printed inopaque ink or the like on the face of the sign. Alternatively, thisarrangement may be reversed so that the major portion of the sign isonadue. and the indicia is transparent.

An insertable lighting fixture indicated in general by the numeral 32and illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawing is positioned within theouter enclosure which is indicated in general by the numeral 33. Theinsert 32 comprises an elongated supporting strip 38 of any desiredmaterial and which may be channel shaped in cross section with the baseof the channel designed to extend vertically. The strip 38 supports aseries of longitudinally spaced sockets 34 designed to accommodate lightbulbs 35. Conductors such as 36 connect the various 3 sockets 34 toprovide current for illuminating the bulbs 35, the conductor 36 normallycomprising a pair of wires connected to the socket terminals, theconductor extending through a circuit breaker 37 to a plug 39' which maybe plugged into any electrical outlet.

The ends 46 of the strip 38 are bent at right angles and are secured inface contact with a pair of end plates 41 which are designed to fitwithin the translucent enclosure 33 and which are designed to form endclosure for the outer enclosure. The plates 41 are secured to the stripends by rivets 42, spot Welding or by any other suitable means. Theentire insertable unit 32 is of slightly shorter length than the outerenclosure 33 so that the end plates 41 are slightly recessed into theends of the enclosure.

An adjustable spreader which is indicated in general by the numeral 43may be used to hold the ends of the enclosure $3 spread apart so thatthe flanges 24 and 26 cannot become accidentally disengaged from themolding 10. In the form illustrated, the spreader includes a generallyU-shaped metal clip 44 which is designed to slip over an end of thebottom panel 21 of the enclosure '33. A pin 45 having a threaded portion46 is threaded through the U-shaped clip 44. The panel 21 is providedwith an opening or a notch designed to accommodate the threaded shank46, and a thumb nut 47 is provided on the lower end of the pin.

When the enclosure 33 is properly engaged in the notches 17 and 19 ofthe molding 19, th U-shaped clip may be inserted over each end of thebottom panel 21, and the pin may be inserted through the threadedopening 49 in the clip and through the corresponding opening in thepanel 21, not illustrated in the drawings. By tightening the pin 45against the top panel 22 of the enclosure 33', the panels 21 and 22maybe positively held in fixed spaced relation so that the flanges 24and 26 cannot be sprung toward one another sufliciently to permitdisengagement of the housing from the molding 19. By loosening the pin45 out of contact with the top panel 22, the flanges 24 and 26 may againbe sprung toward one another when the sign is to b disengaged.

In accordance with the patent statutes, we have described the principlesof construction and operation of our improvement in lighted shelf strip,and while we have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof,we desire to have it understood that changes may be made within thescope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of ourinvention.

We claim:

1. A lighted shelf strip for use in combination with a price tagmolding, the molding including a strip having parallel flanges formingopposed inwardly opening grooves adapted to receive opposite edges ofprice cards and the like, the shelf strip including,

an elongated housing of resilient translucent material and including, inseries, an upper rear wall panel, top panel, a front panel, a bottompanel and a lower rear Wall panel,

rearwardly extending reversely turned flanges on the edges of said upperand lower rear wall panels,

said reversely turned flanges being normally spaced apart a distancesubstantially greater than the distance between the grooves of saidmolding,

said housing front panel having integral opposed hookshaped parallelflanges thereon near the upper and lower edges thereof defining a pairof opposed inwardly opening grooves,

said last named grooves being spaced apart a distance substantiallygreater than the distance between said grooves of said molding,

an illuminating means in said housing including an elongated supportupon which spaced light supporting sockets are mounted, and

end plates on the ends of said elongated support forming end closures,said plates being slidable longitudinaily of said housing.

2. The structure of claim 1 and including expansi'ole means extendingbetween said top and bottom panels and operable for holding saidreversely turned flanges engaged in the grooves in said molding.

3. The structure of claim 1 and in which said bottom panel is Wider thansaid top panel, and said front panel inclines upwardly and rearwardlywhen said housing is in place.

4. The structure of claim 1 and in which said illuminating means isshorter than said housing, and

expansible and contractable means extending between said bottom paneland said top panel to hold said panels from flexing inwardly,

said expansible and contractable means being outwardly of said endplates and serving the additional purpose of holding said illuminatingmeans in said housing.

5. The structure of claim 4 and in which said expansible andcontractable means comprises a U-shaped clip embracing a portion of theend of one of said top and bottom panels,

the sides of said U-shaped clip having aligned apertures therethroughnormal to the surface thereof, at least one of which is threaded, and

a threaded rod extending through said apertures to extend across the endof said housing to engage the other of said top and bottom panels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS775,294 Clark Nov. 22, 1904 1,609,621 Gatchell Dec. 7, 1926 2,337,685Schepmoes Dec. 28, 1943 2,527,679 Krueger Oct. 31, 1950 2,607,144 HarrisAug. 12, 1952 2,857,696 Barrow Oct. 28, 1958 2,924,902 Luck et al. Feb.16, 1960 3,015,177 Hembd Jan. 2, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 23,052 GreatBritain Nov. 18, 1899 64,246 France May 25, 1955

1. A LIGHTED SHELF STRIP FOR USE IN COMBINATION WITH A PRICE TAGMOLDING, THE MOLDING INCLUDING A STRIP HAVING PARALLEL FLANGES FORMINGOPPOSED INWARDLY OPENING GROOVES ADAPTED TO RECEIVE OPPOSITE EDGES OFPRICE CARDS AND THE LIKE, THE SHELF STRIP INCLUDING, AN ELONGATEDHOUSING OF RESILIENT TRANSLUCENT MATERIAL AND INCLUDING, IN SERIES, ANUPPER REAR WALL PANEL, TOP PANEL, A FRONT PANEL, A BOTTOM PANEL AND ALOWER REAR WALL PANEL, REARWARDLY EXTENDING REVERSELY TURNED FLANGES ONTHE EDGES OF SAID UPPER AND LOWER REAR WALL PANELS, SAID REVERSELYTURNED FLANGES BEING NORMALLY SPACED APART A DISTANCE SUBSTANTIALLYGREATER THAN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE GROOVES OF SAID MOLDING, SAIDHOUSING FRONT PANEL HAVING INTEGRAL OPPOSED HOOKSHAPED PARALLEL FLANGESTHEREON NEAR THE UPPER AND LOWER EDGES THEREOF DEFINING A PAIR OFOPPOSED INWARDLY OPENING GROOVES, SAID LAST NAMED GROOVES BEING SPACEDAPART A DISTANCE SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER THAN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAIDGROOVES OF SAID MOLDING, AN ILLUMINATING MEANS IN SAID HOUSING INCLUDINGAN ELONGATED SUPPORT UPON WHICH SPACED LIGHT SUPPORTING SOCKETS AREMOUNTED, AND END PLATES ON THE ENDS OF SAID ELONGATED SUPPORT FORMINGEND CLOSURES, SAID PLATES BEING SLIDABLE LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID HOUSING.